Süleymaniye Mosque

The Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul’s historic Vefa quarter of Fatih is a masterpiece of classical Ottoman architecture. Built on the orders of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557, it can accommodate more than 5,000 worshippers and has formed part of Istanbul’s UNESCO World Heritage area since 1985. The building is renowned for its acoustics: the imam’s voice can be heard from every part of the prayer hall. The interior features a marble mihrab and elegant stained-glass windows. Nearby is a cemetery containing the mausoleums of the sultan, his wife Hürrem, their daughter Mihrimah and other Ottoman rulers. A viewing terrace offers panoramic views of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.

Every element of the Süleymaniye Mosque carries symbolic meaning. Its four minarets recall that Suleiman was the fourth sultan to rule after the conquest of Istanbul, while their ten balconies signify that he was the tenth ruler of the Ottoman dynasty. Architect Mimar Sinan carefully controlled light and air: 168 windows, including 32 around the dome, fill the hall with a soft glow. Ostrich eggs once hung from the chandeliers; Sinan intended them to repel spiders, preventing cobwebs and reducing the risk of fire.